Civil War By Cycle

Civil War By Cycle

October 1st, 2013by Sunny Montgomery
in Getout Cycling - old

The Battle of Chickamauga just observed its 150th anniversary in September. Noted as the second bloodiest battle in the Civil War (just behind the Battle of Gettysburg), the Battle of Chickamauga marked the end of the Union offensive which forced the troops to retreat to Chattanooga. It was from that vantage point that Union forces ultimately took Lookout Mountain thus granting them access to the Deep South.

Bike the Battlefield

The Saturday tours begin at 9:30 a.m. and cover anywhere from 3-6 miles. It is appropriate for most ages. Last chance to take the Battlefield Bike Tour is October 19. Bicycles and helmets are provided through reservation by Outdoor Chattanooga, or you can bring your own. To reserve a bike and helmet call 706-866-9241. This is a free event.

Past Without the Pedals

"Occupation and Liberation Symposium" is a four-day event that includes lectures led by nationally known historians, discussions and tours to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga. The event occurs Oct. 9 -12 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

"A Walk Down Memory Lane - Units on the Battleline" is a 90-minute walking tour led by a park ranger that will include visits to some of the monuments and stories associated with the Battle of Chickamauga. The event occurs on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at Chickamauga Battlefield.

"Brown's Ferry, Re-opening the Tennessee River and the Cracker Line" is a 2.5-mile walking tour that follows the route that was used by troops to open a new supply line into the besieged Chattanooga taking place November 16 at 9:30 a.m. at the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District

The Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, encompassing over a dozen acres, pays tribute to the epic battle with more than 700 Civil War monuments that mark important skirmishes, brigades and, of course, the fallen. Many of the large concrete monuments were erected by Civil War veterans themselves, so the park's sense of history is very real.

Through October, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park sponsors monthly Battlefield Bike Tours led by a National Park Service Ranger. The park's landscape remains akin to the way it was during the Civil War with sweet-smelling cedar glades, rolling pastures, farmlands and narrow antebellum roads. It is a leisurely bike ride with various stops along the way to learn more about the monuments and the stories behind them. For example, cyclists will learn the profound story behind Private John Ingram's monument which marks the exact spot where the local Confederate soldier fell on the battlefield and where he was buried by family just hours after his death. Ingram's burial plot is the only marked soldier's grave at the battlefield that ultimately saw over 300,000 causalities.